Malice

Funky fallen demi-goddess Malice has to regain her skills and powers and save the universe, all while exacting her revenge on the head-eating Dog God.

It won't be as easy as it sounds.

The Dog God's Crow Armies are constantly trying to beat you back to see Death. Plus, you'll have to get past his seven Lieutenants before you get to confront the terrible monster himself.

Walk loudly and carry a big hammer, that's the Malice way.

Fantastic Setting - Explore 29 levels filled with bizarre challenges, including the hellish Fire Fortress, toxic gunge-ridden Gloop River, and the impenetrable Glowurm Kingdom.

Powerful Weapons - Swipe and Quake with one of the weapons of ever-increasing power and use 8 powerful magics to enhance your combat and survival skills.

Fearsome Opponents - It's a dangerous world: poisonous mushrooms, bizarre mutant spiders, talking rats, and burrowing beetles all need a good whacking.

Source:

Back of Case - PS2 (US)

Vivendi Universal Publishing and Argonaut Games Announce Exclusive Deal to Ship Malice: Kat's Tale

Sierra to Release Game on Xbox™ Video Game System from Microsoft

Meudon, CA (October, 2001)

Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing), a division of Vivendi Universal (NYSE: V), and Argonaut Software Ltd. today announced an exclusive long-term deal to publish the much-anticipated title Malice: Kat's Tale. The game is due to release next fall under the Sierra brand on Xbox, and another, yet to be announced, next-generation console.

Malice: Kat's Tale, a character driven, fast paced and challenging 3D action adventure game, made headlines at this year's CES trade show when Bill Gates used it to demonstrate the capabilities of the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft. Malice: Kat's Tale delivers a new level of video gaming experience with substantially enhanced levels of gameplay, graphics and audio.

"This is a title we've had our eye on and have been excited about for a long time," said J Allard, General Manager, Xbox Platform. "We are happy to be working with such experienced talent from Argonaut and Sierra and are looking forward to seeing this remarkable game come to life on Xbox."

"This is a very strategic partnership for us as we extend our brand into the console market," said Mike Ryder, president at Sierra. "I believe we're poised to make a tremendous impact in the console market in the future, especially with the launch of Malice: Kat's Tale in 2002."

"Vivendi Universal Publishing's marketing and distribution capabilities will allow us to substantially grow the Malice franchise," said Joss Ellis, COO, Argonaut Software. "This agreement marks the start of a new and promising relationship with one of the key global players in the games marketplace."

Source:

Press release (17th October 2001)

Malice Heads to Second Next Generation Console

Coming to Playstation®2 Computer Entertainment System

Meudon, January 22, 2002

Sierra Entertainment, a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing, and Argonaut Games PLC (AGT.L) today announced Malice, a platform-adventure game featuring the most unexpected heroine to come to the console arena, is coming to the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Malice is currently in development for the Xbox™ video game system and is due to release worldwide next fall on both next generation consoles under the Sierra brand.

"Malice is going to offer PlayStation 2 fans a surprising protagonist, one unlike any they've seen before," said Barbara Schwabe, vice president of marketing at Sierra. "With significantly superior gameplay, visuals and audio, PlayStation 2 enthusiasts should expect a truly refreshing video gaming experience."

"Malice is really an original and extraordinary heroine and I expect her character to turn the game into one of Sierra's leading franchises in the years to come," said Mike Ryder, president at Sierra. "And with the depth of the story; incredibly original content, and its compelling graphics, the game is positioned to be one of the great platform-adventure games on the next generation console systems."

In development by UK-based Argonaut Games PLC, Malice for the PlayStation 2 will feature additional levels and gaming options that are unique to the PlayStation 2 version. It will also have a unique shadow system and an efficient PlayStation 2 rendering system that allows for more content and sound.

"All of this additional content will complement the distinctive modes of play with a visual feast for the gamer," said Joss Ellis, COO, Argonaut Games PLC. "Malice is being developed to take full advantage of the PlayStation 2 architecture."

Boasting a tough and sassy teenage heroine, players will no doubt grow addicted to guiding through time in order to undo the terror of a nuclear Dog God gone mad. Malice features 22 levels, a truly original story, and a cast of quirky characters. It's been heralded for its fantastic graphics, unique weaponry, compelling storyline, and intriguing heroine.

Source:

Press release (23rd January 2002)

VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES AND ROCK BAND NO DOUBT TO MIX ON MALICE

**Malice Game to Feature Characters Voiced by Members of No Doubt and Songs from their Rock Steady Album

NDA until 6.00pm Friday May 17, 2002**

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games), a division of Vivendi Universal Publishing, Interscope Records and recording artist No Doubt announce today their collaboration on the upcoming release of Malice™, a character-based, action-adventure game, developed by Argonaut Games PLC (AGT.L) and published by Sierra Entertainment, Inc. This partnership will feature several of the band's songs in the upcoming game, as well as introduce lead vocalist Gwen Stefani as the voice of unexpected, hammer-wielding heroine, Malice, and band members Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young as voices of her cronies within the game. Malice is due to release worldwide this fall on both the Xbox™ video game system and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

No Doubt, currently on a worldwide tour to promote their album, Rock Steady, will provide three songs for Malice's in-game music and television advertisement campaign. Some of the songs will be remixed to compliment the game's look and feel.

"Having our songs in Malice is another way to get our music to people who might not otherwise hear it," says Gwen. "We make music - that's what we do and we love to share it." "Being a band that grew up in the video game generation, the fusing of video games and music is exciting to us," said Tony. "To be involved with a game during its creative development was a cool opportunity so we jumped at the chance to be part of Malice."

"This collaboration between Vivendi Universal's Games and Music divisions is a prime example of the unique, synergistic opportunities available within the Vivendi Universal family of companies," said Luc Vanhal, President & COO of Vivendi Universal Games. "Music and movies have long been a natural pairing," he continued. "Music and games is the logical next step in the evolution of interactive entertainment and we're pleased to partner with Interscope Records and No Doubt to take the gaming experience to the next level."

Malice, an action-adventure game, boasts a tough and feisty teenage heroine, which players will no doubt grow addicted to guiding through time in order to undo the terror of the evil God Nefarious Rex. Malice features 22 levels, a truly original story, and a cast of mad characters. It's been heralded for its fantastic graphics, unique weaponry, compelling storyline, and intriguing heroine.

Source:

Press release (17th May 2002)

MALICE WEBSITE LAUNCHED TODAY

**Site Features Game Trailers, New Images and Behind the Scenes Moments with No Doubt

BELLEVUE, WA (June 21, 2002)** - Sierra Entertainment, Inc., a studio of Vivendi Universal Publishing, today announced the launch of a new website dedicated to Malice™, the upcoming action-adventure game, developed by UK-based Argonaut Games PLC (AGT.L). The site is live and can be accessed at malice.sierra.com, where fans can find out just what makes Malice this year's most unexpected title.

The new Malice site hosts screenshots from the game, desktop backgrounds, movies and music, as well as behind the scenes production artwork and a voice recording session with No Doubt. There are also links to the latest Malice game news and press releases. Malice is due to release worldwide this November on both the Xbox™ video game system and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system under the Sierra brand.

Malice is an action-adventure game named for a tough, kick-ass teen. Players must venture into the warped reality of Malice where the evil fire god, Nefarious Rex, has fractured the time-lines and set the world ablaze. As Malice you must unravel the mystery of your demise, battle Rex's twisted minions, and fix the shattered time-lines in order to save a universe gone mad. Malice is certain to be one of the great action-adventure games on next generation console systems.

Source:

Press release (21st June 2002)

She's the cutest little deity you've ever seen, but try not to get on the wrong side of Malice or it'll be hammer time...

She may dress like the quintessential rock chick and have eyes you could positively drown in, but don't be fooled by Malice's cuteness: she's a rock-hard demi-goddess who has the potential to save the universe. Ousted from her rightful place in the heavens and sapped of her abilities by the evil (not to mention scarily huge) Dog God, Malice - with a lot of help from her upgradeable hammer - must recover her powers and defeat the canine deity and his cronies over 29 levels of platforming action.

Over the course of the game, Malice will find herself in some strange and extremely diverse environments, including the highly toxic Gloop River, the blazing hot Fire Fortress and the Orrery, the enormous clockwork heart of the universe. Each area is beautifully realised, as are the good and evil characters that occupy them: Malice is supported by characters such as The Metal Guardian, The Witch and her good friend Death, but she'll have to contend with the Dog God's legion of thoroughly evil - if still visually magnificent - lackeys.

• 29 levels, with 15 unique themes
• Four different Malice incarnations
• Earn eight different powers throughout the adventure
• Features the voice of No Doubt's Gwen Stefani
• Seven huge Dog God bosses

Source:

uk.playstation.com